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Dash cam or no dash cam?!?!?!!?
- Thread starter mposki
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- Model S User Interface
I wish I had a rear camera, I would have awesome footage of a Model X doing the hardest lane change i have ever seen!
I am planning on getting rid of the front one and getting the dual version.
+ they are so cheap now for what you can get out of them, & super easy to install
I am planning on getting rid of the front one and getting the dual version.
+ they are so cheap now for what you can get out of them, & super easy to install
Last edited:
JPP
Active Member
Have you searched these forums and also used volkerize.com to search the TM forums? Lots of opinions and good info.
FWIW, I have dual front rear Blackvue dash cams in both of our Model S. Cheap insurance. Once you have seen a video that documents a bad accident where fault is in contention, and the video shows what happened, you will be sold.
FWIW, I have dual front rear Blackvue dash cams in both of our Model S. Cheap insurance. Once you have seen a video that documents a bad accident where fault is in contention, and the video shows what happened, you will be sold.
SlyWombat
Member
Those that have them, have you had a custom installer setup? I was going to peek in the "mic" area to see if mine has the spare always on power up there, dont want to run cable along the header and down and under.
kuttakamina
Member
I have that spare connector in the mic area. But I have no idea how to tap that connector for power. I don't want to cut wires or solder etc.
Sosius
a.k.a. Uptown Frunk
Cool. This is the first I have heard of a recent car having that spare clip. I need to look in mine tonight.
kuttakamina
Member
JPP
Active Member
k--please, please do a bit of searching on these forums and over at TM using volkerize.com. The issue of 'always on' 12v has been repeatedly addressed. If you have the connector in the headliner above the mike grille, you likely have 12v. It is interesting than old 2013 builds have the connector, then it disappeared for a while, then reappeared sometime more recently. My May 2013 build has one, my wife's June 2015 build has one.
You test with a meter to see which pin is hot and which is ground. if you feel so compelled, you buy the proper connector and pins. Amputate the cigarette lighter plug from the camera power cable (but leave the in-line fuse and fuseholder), strip the wires, solder/crimp the red 12v lead from the camera and the black ground lead to the proper connector pins, make up the connector, plug it in, and you are good to go. Or, like me, you can get a bit creative and just strip the red & black wires, and tin them with a soldering iron. Then pop open the connector in the headliner, and carefully (so as to not short out anything) lay the wires onto the proper pins inside the connector. Then you just snap the connector closed. You then have power to the camera cable, and have left the original TM connector open for whatever future use is possible. The camera power cable is fished out under the headliner at the windshield to the right of the rear view mirror mount, and connects to the camera. Simple, clean.
You test with a meter to see which pin is hot and which is ground. if you feel so compelled, you buy the proper connector and pins. Amputate the cigarette lighter plug from the camera power cable (but leave the in-line fuse and fuseholder), strip the wires, solder/crimp the red 12v lead from the camera and the black ground lead to the proper connector pins, make up the connector, plug it in, and you are good to go. Or, like me, you can get a bit creative and just strip the red & black wires, and tin them with a soldering iron. Then pop open the connector in the headliner, and carefully (so as to not short out anything) lay the wires onto the proper pins inside the connector. Then you just snap the connector closed. You then have power to the camera cable, and have left the original TM connector open for whatever future use is possible. The camera power cable is fished out under the headliner at the windshield to the right of the rear view mirror mount, and connects to the camera. Simple, clean.
Khatsalano
Member
kuttakamina
Member
Any chance you have a link to specifically what you purchased?
both adapter and camera.
If you have a newer car and didn't get the security package, then you should have a spare 12V source by the mirror. Buy a pwm fan connector. It fits right into the plug. No cutting or soldering.
As for buying a dash cam or not. It took two weeks before someone backed into my car and drove off. The dash cam has already paid for itself.
As for buying a dash cam or not. It took two weeks before someone backed into my car and drove off. The dash cam has already paid for itself.
kuttakamina
Member
Andreas, thanks for your reply. We don't have 'security package' in the US. But the car does have an security alarm function, so perhaps all cars here come with it?
The connector in my car has 8 pins.
I think I've seen that connector on computer fans. Makes sense, since those are 12v too.
I wish there was a way to convert that to a connector that the dashcam would understand.
In the meanwhile, I guess I'll be running a cable from the cigarette lighter to the front.
I don't like the idea of wires in the car, but I like it better than not having a dashcam at all.
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Here is a picture of the ACTUAL connector from my car.
It seems to have 8 pins .. will the connector you suggested fit into this?
The connector in my car has 8 pins.
I think I've seen that connector on computer fans. Makes sense, since those are 12v too.
I wish there was a way to convert that to a connector that the dashcam would understand.
In the meanwhile, I guess I'll be running a cable from the cigarette lighter to the front.
I don't like the idea of wires in the car, but I like it better than not having a dashcam at all.
- - - Updated - - -
Here is a picture of the ACTUAL connector from my car.
It seems to have 8 pins .. will the connector you suggested fit into this?
steph280
Member
This is the connector from my car, marked with the pins I connected my dash cam to.
And I used common RC plugs on my dashcam to connect to the car connector.
And I used common RC plugs on my dashcam to connect to the car connector.
Any chance you have a link to specifically what you purchased?
both adapter and camera.
Sensolutions.com ::
Amazon.com : Dashboard Camera, SplashETech Mini 0805 Dash Cam *Worlds Smallest Dashcam W/ Screen* Amba A7LA50 Chip Full HD 1296P(Upgraded Mini 0803) Car Video Recorder, Dvr Car Camera with GPS Logger : Electronics
Also purchased a 12 foot micro-USB cable. I had several feet left over that I hid in the pillar. I think only 8 or 10' is necessary.
Amazon.com: Pwr+ 12 Feet USB Cable for Wacom Bamboo CTH470, CTH670, CTL470, CTL471 Capture Create Connect Splash Pen Digital Art Drawing Tablet Pad Data Sync Charging Power Cord (Use only with 10W+ USB chargers): Computers Accessories
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